Quote: "Hey Coach Tim, I am telling everyone we know about the terrific time that Josh had at camp. I stayed and watched almost every day and all I can say is that I wish I had something like this when I was a kid. Keep up the good, no GREAT, work." Happy Hilliard Reds Camp Dad

Camp Philosophy

CAMP CULTURE

Kids will come to camp that have never played ball before and kids will come to camp that may someday play at Great American Ball Park. Some kids will come just to see a Reds player and others to become a Reds player. Regardless, we owe all players the camp experience of a lifetime. And we won't settle for anything less.

The magic of a great camp resides within these four "walls": fun, competition, learning and camaraderie. On Monday when you meet the camp staff, they will be off the charts with baseball and softball smarts and unbridled passion to share it with your kids. But what we know without question is that the best way to teach is to pull back on those reins and build in some serious fun. We're talking shaving cream pie in the face kind of silliness. And boy-oh-boy do kids love friendly competition. That's why, every day, we include fun competitions and award special Reds merchandise.

The bottom line is that when we mix in one part competition, two parts fun, one part friend building and five parts instruction, you have a camp concoction that is magical. Smother them with positive reinforcement and encouragement...well, you get the idea.

THE CURRICULUM

This is the most important thing to understand about the Reds Baseball and Softball Camps. It doesn't matter if your athlete is six and picking up a bat for the first time or 14 and is a stud shortstop for the Tri-State's top travel team.

This camp will profoundly improve each player's ability to play the game. The camper would have to sleepwalk through the week to not be a better ballplayer on Friday than he or she was on Monday.

SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY

Let's get this big question answered right away. How can we have a camp with six year-olds and 14 year-olds? Look at it this way. A K-8 school does not have second graders and eighth graders in P.E. or math class together. They may pass in the hallways, take the same bus and be in the same yearbook but they are not in class together. Get the picture? At a Reds Camp, they will not be in "class" together either.

That being said, not all players of the same age have equal ability. For safety reasons and because it facilitates the best learning environment, players will be grouped by age and ability. These "teams" will then stay together throughout the week with the same coach (Team Votto, Team Hamilton, Team Bailey, etc.). There will be cross-pollination of instructors but we have found that the bonds created between teammates and their primary coach is one of the truly special dynamics at camp.

And yes, at our instructors' discretion, tennis balls, Wiffle balls and safety balls will be used liberally at camp. Of course, we will use regulation baseballs when appropriate but fear-free confidence is a critical foundation for fun and learning success.

Have questions about the camps? Send them to trappe@reds.com or call toll free at (855) 8GoReds (846-7337).

TRAVEL PLAYER? THIS CAMP IS FOR YOU, TOO.

Nearly half of the participants in 2016 were travel players. This we can tell you for sure. The coaches we line up in front of your young travel player are expert baseball and softball instructors. There is no reason why a travel player should shy away from what promises to be an extraordinary camp.

We understand that travel ballplayers' schedules can be hectic in the summer. But give us one week of your summer. It will pay off in that night's game or next weekend's big tourney.

Instruction

Reds Coaches At Camp

"Hi, I'm Billy Hatcher, third base coach for the Reds. 2017 is my 6th year with the Reds Camp and all I can say is that I wish my kids had something like this when they were growing up. Reds Camp is truly amazing and I love taking the kids on a special journey when I meet them at GABP."

VIDEO MOTION ANALYSIS

Much of what happens in the baseball/softball swing happens too fast to be tracked by the human eye. If you would like your athlete's swing recorded and personally analyzed featuring a comparison to Joey Votto please check the appropriate box on the registration form. There will be a $25 additional fee for this service.

NOTE: Videos will be completed following the camp season.

INSTRUCTORS

Parents know that when you find a great teacher, you grab him or her and hang on for dear life. They can be game changers in our kids' lives. Great baseball and softball coaches are the same.

That's why we carefully select, screen, train and monitor our instructors. Then we encourage them to unleash all the passion and creativity they can muster.

Each camp day for your child should be a masterpiece. These coaches get that, and they love it.

The bottom line? The men and women entrusted with the training of your kids are as good as they come. We promise.

Every instructor will undergo a thorough background check.

Price

LET'S TALK STRAIGHT ABOUT THE FEE

For the sixth year, the camp price will remain at $395. This fee gets 30 hours of terrific instruction, four Reds game tickets, a V.I.P. day at the ballpark, meeting a current Reds player, getting instruction from a Reds coach, a full Reds uniform and the unforgettable friendships and memories all for about what some of us pay a babysitter on an hourly basis ($13.17).

Read below and see how you might be able to reduce the price.

TIME TO SIGN UP

The cost is $395 and registration will be available in December. You may pay in full online. Before May 1, 2017, you may reserve your spot with a refundable $175 deposit. Your credit card will automatically be charged the balance due on May 1, 2017.

PARTICIPANT AGES

Camps are open to boys and girls ages 6 to 14

FAMILY AND FRIENDS DISCOUNT

If two or more children sign up together, each will receive a $25 discount. In order to receive this Family/Friends Discount the registrations must be submitted together.

EARLY BIRD SIGN UP DISCOUNT

Register prior to 3/1/17 and receive a $25 discount. This discount may not be combined with any other discount.

CANCELLATION POLICY

You may cancel 45 days prior to the first day of camp and receive a full refund. Cancellations between 45 days and 14 days prior to the first day of camp will be subject to a $75 processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the first day of your camp.

CAMP TIME

Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm

EXTRA INNINGS (Early Arrivals and Late Pickups

Camps begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. However, to accommodate parents' schedules, you may drop off your camper as early as 8 a.m. and/or pick him/her up as late as 5 p.m. An additional $5 will be charged for each early or late "Extra Inning." Just check in with the camp Field Director on Monday morning.

LUNCH

Campers should bring their own lunch and drinks. Please make sure to affix your player's name to these items.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

In the event of inclement weather, outdoor camp activities will be moved indoors. Our curriculum has provisions for excellent indoor activities and instruction. We reserve the right to cancel camp days for weather-related reasons and no refunds will be given. Every effort will be made to complete instruction. In our first three years, no camps days have been lost.

FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS

Once you have registered we will communicate additional important camp information via e-mail. Please enter your e-mail address accurately on the registration form. Also, be sure you are entering the parent or guardian e-mail address, NOT the camper's.

CAR POOLING

We will assist you in making car pool arrangements. If interested, check the "Car Pool" box on the registration form. Prior to camp, parents who check the "Car Pool" box will be connected with others who are interested in this convenience.

GOT A FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT AT WORK?

Many parents use their employer's FSA benefit to save even more. Check with your employer to see if the camp fee qualifies as Dependent Care.

Experience

Every camp will receive instruction from a current Reds coach

Price

Hatcher

V.I.P Day Trip to Great American Ball Park for a behind-the-scenes experience

On one of the five camp days, campers will be transported by bus to Great American Ball Park for a day we are sure they will never forget. Imagine sitting in the dugout just hours before Joey Votto walks out of the tunnel. Or toeing the bullpen rubber shortly before Homer Bailey. Wow.

Four tickets to Your Choice of Three Camper Reunion Games Including an On-Field Pre-Game Parade

Each participant will receive four tickets to a choice of one of three 2017 Reds games. These Camper Reunion Games provide a great chance to reunite with new friends from camp. And it gets even better as one of those games will include a pre-game parade (weather permitting). Stay tuned for the three dates.

Skills Competition with Champions Day at Great American Ball Park

Kids love to compete so we've made sure they have an opportunity to strut their competitive stuff while using the very skills we will be teaching them at camp. Every camper will participate in a baseball or softball skills competition. Each week, scores will be posted on the Web site. After the last camp, the top scorers will be invited to the Champions Day finals at Great American Ball Park. Boys and girls will compete separately in the following groups: Grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, grades 5 and 6, grades 7 and 8. Friends and family are welcome to attend this exciting day.

Every camper will be given a full Reds uniform (jersey, pants, hat and belt)

If you are going to train like a major leaguer, might as well dress like one.

Note: The 2017 uniform style will not be the same as 2016

SPECIAL PATCH FOR "VETERANS"

Those players who have attended camp previously will receive a unique commemorative patch to proudly display on his/her new uniform.